SHENZHEN, China and ROTHENTHURM, Switzerland, June 10, 2026 – Denner is deploying 200 PUDU CC1 4-in-1 autonomous cleaning robots through a partnership with Pudu Robotics and Robobee, extending automated floor maintenance across the Swiss discount supermarket chain’s store network.
Denner, a subsidiary of Migros Group, began the rollout in fall 2025 as part of a modernization program focused on store operations and the in-store customer experience.
“We are honored that Denner selected PUDU CC1 to help address a critical operational challenge,” said Felix Zhang, founder and CEO of Pudu Robotics. “This deployment stems from a clear need: to maintain impeccable hygiene standards amid expanding fresh produce offerings, while alleviating the daily cleaning burden on store teams. The success of the initial pilot proved that robotics can be a reliable, safe, and integral part of the daily retail environment.”
He added, “Seeing the project scale from four pilot stores to a deployment of this size is a strong validation of both the technology and the operational value it delivers. It reflects a shared commitment to practical innovation and measurable day-to-day efficiency.”
Dario Himmelsbach, CEO of Robobee, added: “Selling a robot is easy. However, making it work in a complex retail environment is the real challenge. We don’t do ‘off-the-shelf’ sales. Our holistic approach is about turning robotics into a reliable project. I’m grateful to Pudu Robotics for their agility in adapting their technology based on our solution especially designed for Denner, allowing us to apply the ‘Swiss Finish’ that actually turned this technology into a success that performs on every third shop within the Denner store network.”
Transforming Retail Cleaning Through Automation
Denner’s adoption of autonomous cleaning technology follows changes in store operations. The expansion of fresh produce categories increased daily floor-cleaning requirements, creating a need for consistent floor maintenance.
Christian Staub, head of sales at Denner stated: “We’re delighted to introduce smart helpers into our stores because hygiene and cleanliness remain top priorities in the supermarket environment.”
“Ideally, we can use the time saved for other tasks,” Staub stated, framing the machines as assistants. This shift allows staff to dedicate more time to high-value activities like customer service and detailed product range maintenance.
Why Denner Chose the PUDU CC1
Nihad Zoronjic, Denner manager, cited the engineering and design of the PUDU CC1 as key factors in the selection. He also said the robot’s appearance aligns with Denner’s brand image, while its autonomous operation supports higher cleaning frequency and consistency.
“In our evaluation, Pudu Robotics stood out for the superior build quality and advanced engineering of their CC1 solution,” Zoronjic concluded. “This alignment with our standards for innovation and reliability was a key factor in our partnership decision.”
Robobee supported the rollout through local project coordination, staff training, and technical maintenance across Denner’s store network.
Pudu Robotics’ Full-Scenario Product Portfolio
Pudu Robotics’ cleaning robot portfolio covers several application scenarios. The lineup includes the PUDU CC1 series for small-to-medium spaces, the PUDU MT1 series for professional-grade dry cleaning, and the PUDU BG1 series, which the company describes as the industry’s first AI-native large-scale scrubbing robot for environments such as retail stores, warehouses, and parking lots.
With the BG1 series, Pudu has completed its cleaning robot product lineup, extending its portfolio from conventional automation toward AI-native systems for large-scale cleaning applications.
Operational Advantages of the PUDU CC1 in Retail
- Water efficiency: The PUDU CC1 can clean up to 2,000 square meters using 15 liters of water, compared with more than 100 liters required in manual cleaning processes.
- Efficiency and reduced manual workload: The autonomous cleaning system more than doubles floor-cleaning productivity while reducing repetitive manual work, helping stores adjust labor allocation and operating costs.
- IoT integration: The system supports real-time monitoring, automated scheduling, and autonomous operation with minimal staff intervention.
Strategic Impact and Forward Outlook
Alexander Rauch from Denner’s management team reports said: “The robots are effectively supporting our employees to ensure efficient and safe cleaning, which in turn enhances our brand image and operational efficiency.”
Pudu also developed a software mode for Denner to address challenges associated with Europe’s mineral-rich water, with the goal of maintaining operation and limiting scale buildup in stores.
Source: Pudu Robotics
About Pudu Robotics
Pudu Robotics, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, develops and manufactures commercial service robots for use in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and offices. The company focuses on mobility, manipulation and AI technologies to support the design and operation of its robots. Pudu Robotics produces delivery, reception, cleaning and industrial-service robots, including models such as PuduBot, BellaBot, KettyBot, FlashBot and SwiftBot. It also offers embodied intelligent robots designed for interactive and customer-facing tasks. The company supplies robots to customers in sectors such as food service, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, industrial facilities, entertainment and sports. Pudu Robotics reports deployments across more than 1,000 cities in over 80 countries and regions. It has shipped more than 100,000 units worldwide and employs several hundred people globally.
About Robobee
Robobee is a robotics company based in Rothenthurm, Switzerland. Founded in 2024 as a spin-off of SC-Tech’s robotics division, the company develops and integrates robotic systems for commercial and industrial operations. Its offerings include mobile robots, middleware software, system integration and after-sales support. Robobee works with manufacturers, distributors, integrators and organizations deploying automation systems. The company integrates robotic equipment into existing operational infrastructure and workflows. Its work covers project planning, deployment, maintenance and technical support. Robobee serves customers in Switzerland and other European markets. The company reports more than 2,000 installed robotic devices across Switzerland and Europe.